Medicare: What is it?

Originally signed into law in 1965, Medicare is the national social insurance program designed to provide fundamental health coverage to American seniors, typically starting when they turn 65. To adapt to Americans' evolving healthcare needs and rising costs, the program has expanded over the years. Today, it encompasses multiple parts, blending public and private insurance options to cover everything from basic wellness visits and hospital stays to prescription drugs.

By working together, the various parts of Medicare can significantly reduce an individual's out-of-pocket expenses. Given the complexity and breadth of coverage, plans must be personalized. For this reason, consulting a Medicare advisor is essential to find the plan that is the best fit for you.

Learn more about different parts of Medicare

Understanding Medicare Plans

There are multiple parts of Medicare. Medicare Part A and Part B are known as Original Medicare, the original legislation signed into law in 1965. Later, Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (prescription drug plans), and Medicare Supplement were created to cover more costs. There are several hundred Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D plans, and each plan covers different products and services. Each plan will have different premiums, deductibles, copays, and other unique costs.

SmartMatch licensed insurance agents offer Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, individual and family plans, and ancillary coverage like hospital indemnity and dental, vision, and hearing. We strive to offer holistic home coverage based on what our customers need.

Medicare Advantage

SmartMatch specializes in Medicare Advantage plans. We work with multiple carriers to help customers across the nation find the best-fitting coverage for the healthcare they need. By law, Medicare Advantage (Part C) must offer the same coverage that Medicare Part A and Part B provide. However, Medicare Advantage is different from Original Medicare because Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance carriers. These plans may be HMOs or PPOs, just like individual plans you may have had through employers or the marketplace. They can cover more services and products in a single plan, such as prescription drug coverage, over-the-counter healthcare products, dental coverage, vision coverage, or more, depending on each plan.

Medigap: Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement works with Part A and Part B to cover the “gaps” in coverage, such as preventive care, care while traveling abroad, and more. You cannot have a Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare Supplement plan at the same time. SmartMatch does not offer Medicare Supplement plans, but our partner agency, United Medicare Advisors, does. If we find that a Medicare Supplement plan will work best for you, we will transfer you to our friends at United Medicare Advisors.

Part D: Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Typically, a beneficiary who has Medicare Part A and Part B (and Medicare Supplement in most cases) will need a Part D plan because prescriptions are not covered under Part B unless they are administered at a hospital. SmartMatch offers prescription drug plans from multiple carriers and will work with our customers to make sure their prescriptions are covered under the plan’s formulary.

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To learn the number of organizations and number of products we represent in your area, enter your ZIP code after clicking the button below.

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This is a solicitation for insurance. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. SmartMatch Insurance Agency and its divisions are licensed to sell insurance products in all 50 states and DC. Callers will be connected with a licensed agent who can enroll you into a Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug (Part D) and Medicare Supplement insurance plan.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 3,299 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin age, disability, or sex. Not all plans offer all benefits. Benefits may vary carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions apply. No obligation to enroll. SmartMatch Insurance Agency represents Medicare Advantage [HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP, and PDP] organizations that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. PLEASE NOTE: Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Enrollment in a plan may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or you are in your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.

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Medicare Plans: Understanding & Choosing Medicare Places